Profile photo of

Erin Iwata

she/her

Founder & Project Manager

Erin Iwata is a co-founder of Our Church Too. She is also a retired doula, writer, mother to men, and teacher on hiatus. When she is not fighting the patriarchy, or traveling, she helping build her local community in the Pacific NorthWest. She loves hearing people’s stories and falls in love with everyone she meets a little bit.

Artistic impression of article Facing My Own Deaths

Article / Testimony, Mental Health, Community

Facing My Own Deaths

Erin reflects on Easter weekend

By Erin Iwata,
A 4 min read

Artistic impression of article My American Church from the Perspective of an Expatriate: A Lament

Article / Community

My American Church from the Perspective of an Expatriate: A Lament

Erin shares her lament

By Erin Iwata,
A 4 min read

Artistic impression of article Christmas Letter 2021

Article / Mission, Family, Relationships

Christmas Letter 2021

Indy and Erin share the Our Church Too Christmas letter from them to you.

By Indy Hollway & Erin Iwata,
A 2 min read

Artistic impression of article Advent: Erin's Wish List

Article / Advent 2021

Advent: Erin's Wish List

Erin shares her Christmas wish list.

By Erin Iwata,
A 3 min read

Artistic impression of article Why Do You Stay with Church?

Poetry / Testimony, Community, Mission

Why Do You Stay with Church?

Erin reflects through poetry on why she stays with church and her hope for the future of the Church.

By Erin Iwata,
A 1 min read

Artistic impression of article One Year On

Article / Mission, Community, Culture, Allyship, Conference 2021

One Year On

Indy and Erin recap the first annual conference.

By Indy Hollway & Erin Iwata,
A 4 min read

Artistic impression of article Seeds of Greatness Part 2: What Makes a Church?

Article / Community, Race, Testimony

Seeds of Greatness Part 2: What Makes a Church?

Part two of Damian Young's story of starting a new church community.

By Damion Young & Erin Iwata,
A 4 min read

Artistic impression of article Spotlight: Geloven in de Stad

Article / Spotlight

Spotlight: Geloven in de Stad

We spotlight Geloven in de Stad, an organization which could be a model for new concept of church and how they function in communities.

By Erin Iwata,
A 4 min read

Artistic impression of article Why Another Church: Damion Young's story

Article / Race, Community, Culture

Why Another Church: Damion Young's story

Damian Young never planned on being a Christian. He just wasn't interested. The first part of his life was in Oakland, California. His grandmother...

By Damion Young & Erin Iwata,
A 4 min read

Artistic impression of article Spotlight Series: Bakers For Change

Article / Spotlight

Spotlight Series: Bakers For Change

Indy and Erin shine the spotlight on Bakers For Change.

By Indy Hollway & Erin Iwata,
A 2 min read

Artistic impression of article Taking A Break

Article / Mission

Taking A Break

A little info about the upcoming break.

By Indy Hollway & Erin Iwata,
A 2 min read

Artistic impression of article Spotlight Series: International Justice Mission

Article / Spotlight

Spotlight Series: International Justice Mission

Indy and Erin shine the spotlight on International Justice Mission.

By Erin Iwata & Indy Hollway,
A 2 min read

Artistic impression of article Spotlight Series: This Is Gendered

Article / Gender, Spotlight

Spotlight Series: This Is Gendered

Indy and Erin shine the spotlight on This Is Gendered.

By Indy Hollway & Erin Iwata,
A 2 min read

Artistic impression of article Dear Me, PS

Video / Dear Me

Dear Me, PS

In the last post of the Dear Me series, Indy and Erin reflect on the letters that were shared and some of the things that they learned.

By Indy Hollway & Erin Iwata,
A 3 min watch

Artistic impression of article Dear Me, Love Erin

Article / Dear Me

Dear Me, Love Erin

Erin writes a letter to her future self.

By Erin Iwata,
A 4 min read

Artistic impression of article Life Happens

Article / Relationships

Life Happens

Life happens.

By Indy Hollway & Erin Iwata,
A 1 min read

Artistic impression of article Eyes Wide Open

Article / Allyship, Bible, Community, Mission

Eyes Wide Open

Indy: I don’t know about you but since we started this project my mind has expanded so much it’s almost overwhelming. I’ve become much more aware...

By Indy Hollway & Erin Iwata,
A 3 min read

Artistic impression of article 50 Days

Article / Bible, Community

50 Days

Erin explores the meaning of Pentecost, and what being filled with the Spirit of God means for us.

By Erin Iwata,
A 5 min read

Artistic impression of article Dear Me, Love Mark

Article / Dear Me

Dear Me, Love Mark

Mark write a letter to his past self.

By Mark Ehrenstein,
A 6 min read

Artistic impression of article Dear Me, Love Boriana

Article / Dear Me

Dear Me, Love Boriana

Boriana writes a letter to her past self.

By Boriana Hadjieva,
A 3 min read

Artistic impression of article Welcome to the New Life

Article / Bible

Welcome to the New Life

Erin and Indy talk about what the resurrection means for us.

By Erin Iwata & Indy Hollway,
A 3 min read

Artistic impression of article Jesus Didn't Die, He Was Murdered

Article / Bible

Jesus Didn't Die, He Was Murdered

Erin and Indy discuss the dark truth of Good Friday.

By Indy Hollway & Erin Iwata,
A 3 min read

Artistic impression of article Growth Culture

Article / Mission, Culture, Allyship

Growth Culture

Indy and Erin explore an alternative to cancel culture: growth culture.

By Indy Hollway & Erin Iwata,
A 3 min read

Artistic impression of article I Am The Church

Article / Mission, Bible, Community

I Am The Church

“The Church” is a rather loose term for a lot of people. To my non-religious neighbors, it conjures up images of cryptic rituals, large stone...

By Erin Iwata,
A 5 min read

Artistic impression of article Collective Grace

Article / Allyship, Mission

Collective Grace

I’ve been in conversations with a 20 year old aspiring politician. He is brilliant and thoughtful, and most of his political ideas are in complete...

By Erin Iwata,
A 5 min read

Artistic impression of article Let's Talk About... Let's Talk About!

Interview / Mission, Let's talk about

Let's Talk About... Let's Talk About!

Indy: I am so excited about our new series Erin: I know you are. And I am too. Indy: I feel like, ever since we came up with this idea,...

By Indy Hollway & Erin Iwata,
A 2 min read

Artistic impression of article New Years Resolutions

Article / Mission, Community

New Years Resolutions

Our last weekly meeting of 2020 looked much the same as all our other weekly meetings. Wherever possible, and wise, we had been doing these weekly...

By Indy Hollway & Erin Iwata,
A 4 min read

Artistic impression of article Happy New Year!

Article / Mission

Happy New Year!

Indy: We did it! We made it to 2021! Happy New Year! Erin: 2020 was formative...and terrible. Indy: Yes, but it wasn’t all bad… at...

By Indy Hollway & Erin Iwata,
A 2 min read

Artistic impression of article Advent 2020: Brighter Future

Article / Advent 2020

Advent 2020: Brighter Future

Erin: Christmas to me is about heritage. It was about my grandmother’s hands making dough with me, foods passed down from generations and reserved...

By Indy Hollway & Erin Iwata,
A 4 min read

Artistic impression of article Bright Spots: Vision 2021

Article / Mission, Bright Spots

Bright Spots: Vision 2021

Indy: So we’ve nearly made it to Christmas. Erin: We have indeed! Indy: What a weird Christmas it’s going to be! All locked down and no...

By Indy Hollway & Erin Iwata,
A 2 min read

Artistic impression of article Bright Spots: Majority World Church

Article / Bright Spots, Race

Bright Spots: Majority World Church

It’s worthwhile to note that the majority of Christians are not white. As of 2018, Africa was the continent with the most Christians, with South...

By Indy Hollway & Erin Iwata,
A 2 min read

Artistic impression of article Bright Spots: Modesty

Article / Bright Spots, Gender, Culture

Bright Spots: Modesty

This week we shared two pieces about the culture of shame around women’s bodies, especially purity culture within the church. Each piece mentions the...

By Indy Hollway & Erin Iwata,
A 3 min read

Artistic impression of article What Is Our Church Too?

Video / Mission

What Is Our Church Too?

This video is all about who we are, what our mission is, what our values are, and what you can expect from our platform. We hope this not only...

By Indy Hollway & Erin Iwata,
A 1 min read

Artistic impression of article Bright Spots: Sermons

Article / Bright Spots, Race, Bible

Bright Spots: Sermons

This week we heard great wisdom from Cynthia Akinsanya and Jan Pierce. While Jan was reflecting back on her life, Cynthia was reaching forward towards...

By Indy Hollway & Erin Iwata,
A 2 min read

Artistic impression of article Bright Spots: Dignity

Article / Bright Spots, Bible

Bright Spots: Dignity

This week has been all about welcoming people into our lives and treating them with the respect and dignity that they deserve. All of us on the team...

By Indy Hollway & Erin Iwata,
A 3 min read

Artistic impression of article Who Deserves Space at the Table?

Article / Mission, Family, Allyship, Community

Who Deserves Space at the Table?

I’ve found it difficult to talk to some of my Christian friends about this project. I bring up the website, or maybe they tentatively ask, but I can...

By Erin Iwata,
A 5 min read

Artistic impression of article Bright Spots: Anti-Ableism

Article / Bright Spots, Disability, LGBTQ+, Allyship

Bright Spots: Anti-Ableism

This week we heard stories and poetry from Debbie and Candice. Both are people with disabilities. Candice is also identifies transgender. Each week,...

By Indy Hollway & Erin Iwata,
A 2 min read

Artistic impression of article A Roman's 12 Woman

Interview / LGBTQ+, Disability, Gender

A Roman's 12 Woman

I met Candice during my freshman year of college. She had a quick wit and bright smile, and an undeniable optimism and open-heartedness to anyone who...

By Erin Iwata & Candice Siegfried,
A 7 min read

Artistic impression of article Bright Spots: Feminism

Article / Bright Spots, Gender, Allyship

Bright Spots: Feminism

This week has been all about feminism. Both Erin and Indy have posted personal stories about different facets of feminism and christianity, which we...

By Indy Hollway & Erin Iwata,
A 4 min read

Artistic impression of article Niddah

Poetry / Gender, Culture, Bible

Niddah

*Niddah is the Jewish law surrounding female menstruation. Strong- assured masculine even, chiseled rigor of motherhood, capable, master...

By Erin Iwata,
A 1 min read

Artistic impression of article Bright Spots: Advocacy

Article / Bright Spots, Disability, Race, Allyship, Community

Bright Spots: Advocacy

Our Church Too is all about sharing stories and advocating for each other. However, advocating can be really difficult, and it’s important to be in...

By Indy Hollway & Erin Iwata,
A 5 min read

Artistic impression of article Bright Spots: LGBTQ+

Article / Bright Spots, LGBTQ+

Bright Spots: LGBTQ+

This week’s Bright Spots are books, movies, and websites that discuss the intersection of Christianity and the LGTBQ+ community. We hope that these...

By Indy Hollway & Erin Iwata,
A 5 min read

Artistic impression of article Our Bright Spots

Article / Bright Spots

Our Bright Spots

When we started this project, we wanted to highlight the positives as well as illuminate the problems. While we don't have clear answers, there are...

By Indy Hollway & Erin Iwata,
A 3 min read

Artistic impression of article Why Are We Doing This?

Interview / Mission

Why Are We Doing This?

Erin: Why am I doing this? Who am I to think that I could budge the massive stone walls of the church? Who am I to think I know anything at all?...

By Indy Hollway & Erin Iwata,
A 4 min read